- Date of Release: 11 April 2024
- Genre: Comedy, Drama
- Language: Malayalam
Varshangalkku Shesham
Introduction
Cinema on Cinema has got to be one of my favourite genres! The Malayalam Film Industry has been in red hot form in 2024, perhaps the most consistent amongst all the industries that had films to offer. And so this Vishu, when there were as many as three new Malayalam films releasing, I knew that I was going to have a blast. Unfortunately, the then PVR-Inox dispute over the distribution revenue did briefly derail my plans. But after Aavesham, I did work a way to watch the second Malayalam Vishu release titled Varshangalkku Shesham. The film did star the who’se who of the Malayalam Film Industry. And the interesting bit was that while I did catch its trailer previously on the big screen, there were no English subtitles and hence I had zero context of things unfolding in the trailer which still meant that I didn’t venture into the film with preconceived notions. So then does Varshangalkku Shesham manage to impress, let’s find out.
Story & Screenplay
Varshangalkku Shesham follows the story of two close friends who decide to struggle together in the film industry until their paths separate out. Years later, they reunite to make a film together, something that they had been longing for quite some time. The story here is essentially revolving around friendship with the backdrop of the film industry and it indeed makes for a rather sweet and heartfelt watch. I think the biggest mistake that the viewers could do with such a film is to treat it purely as a comedy because at its core, this is a story about friendship with some real emotions that land. And quite honestly, the setting of the film is what sets the film apart given how cruel or demanding the film industry can be whose equations change from Friday to Friday! And in that setting, the survival of friendship is something that is a bit of an acid test itself. The same is depicted with a lot of conviction and emotion through the course of its screenplay standing at a whopping length of 165 minutes that will make you laugh and cry with a warm fuzzy feeling by the end of it.
The drama opens with the introduction of one of the two protagonists who is living in a small village with dreams that only seem a far reality. The drama cuts to a much later timeline wherein you see the same aged protagonist in search for his friend, someone whom we know very little about. The timelines in the drama frequently oscillate between the past and the present wherein you are introduced to the second protagonist – a laid back individual with supreme talent often resorting to alcoholism in the village. The duo soon strike a deep friendship after their share of ups and downs in their college and love lives wherein they decide to try their luck in the ‘Madras’ Film Industry(given that the setting is of the late 70s and early 80s). While I did feel that the world building was a little inconsistent, the emotions in store definitely hit the sweet spot with respect to the vibe of the drama. This, while there is a searing commentary on the functioning of the film industry right throughout the narrative.
At the core, this film is about friendship and so it was important for the character traits of the two protagonist to be laid out well. This was definitely the case wherein it is shown that one protagonist is a little laid back while not as passionate about composing music in films while the other is extremely focused and trying his luck through his hardwork. There is a brief period of the two starting from an extreme low by sharing a dingy room at a hostel near a studio until in an interesting turn of events, one of them does get a break, primarily due to the efforts of the other. There is an underlying streak of emotion masked in the vibe of a playful tragicomedy that brings out a very unique combination of sorts. The journey of the rise and fall of a protagonist and the fall and fall of the other definitely has a direct impact on their friendship. But the power of a long lasting relationship cannot be underestimated and that is reflective in their dynamics when fate brings the duo back after years!
I liked how the emotion of a tragicomedy runs throughout the second hour as well wherein both the protagonists are at the same level in terms of success(or failure) and fate offers them another shot at making a film together. The emotions are pure but never are weighed down due to the frequent bouts of comedy lacing the narrative. The obstacles and roadblocks faces by them in preparing a film often tests their bond of friendship too, frequently. And in a hilarious subplot, there is a meta-meta reference featuring the character of Nithin Molly(hilariously essayed by Nivin Pauly) who goes on a rant mode about the whole nepotism debate amongst the fat shaming narrative that he believes is the part and parcel of the industry and its ‘nepo’ kids. But amidst the chaos, the core emotions of the drama are intact that play out beautifully right till the end, leaving you with a warm and fuzzy feeling(almost ruined until a double whammy by its writers) that makes for an incredible watch. Overall, the screenplay here is very well written and makes for a heartwarming and heartfelt watch.
Dialogues, Music & Direction
The dialogues are conversational with funny one-liners sandwiched between the drama that balances the deep emotions with comedy. The music was good(contrary to some of the opinions from others). The BGM does elevate the underlying emotions in the drama quite well. The cinematography captures some lovely frames that compliment the vibe and the bittersweet tone of the drama really well. The editing is quite crisp barring a few lags in the drama, something that I chose to overlook. Director Vineeth Sreenivasan is one of the new age directors who really knows how to tap in to the emotions without allowing the drama to be heavy. I was first witness to his craft in the wonderfully heartfelt film Hridayam and here too, he is able to serve up the emotions so well with a hint of humour along the way. While his initial world building was a little inconsistent, he more than made up for it in terms of his characterization and the vibe of the drama that eventually results in a supremely heartfelt watch. The direction is really good here.
Performances
The performances are really good by the ensemble cast featuring the who’s who of the Malayalam Film Industry. Neeta Pillai as Radhika, Deepak Parambol, Neeraj Madhav as Alex and Vineeth Sreenivasan himself as the Taxi Driver, all have moments to shine. Basil Joseph as Pradeep has a pleasant personality onscreen and he definitely manages to impress with his sincerity in a character with a touch of humour. Aju Varghese in his dual roles as Kamukara and Keshavadev is both goofy and earnest in equal measures. These are two drastically opposite emotions and he does justify both of them exceptionally well. Kalyani Priyadarshan as Annie looks pretty and does a decent job although her character didn’t quite allow her performance to truly bloom. Nivin Pauly in his eccentric act as Nithin Molly(playing a parody of himself) will go down as a memorable character that may have had a limited screentime but made for a top impact. He absolutely nails his comedy and comes out on top in a brave and bold character that offers a hilariously searing commentary on the ways of the film industry(who write actors off after 7 flops, just like Nivin?😂😂). It was a performance to cherish and savour.
Pranav Mohanlal as Murali has a charming presence onscreen and there is an instant likable quality associated with his character. He is sincere and really affable while delivering a sincere and heartfelt performance. Dhyan Sreenivasan as Venu is simply terrific given the range of emotions that he had to dabble with. He is brilliant to the core while sharing infectious bromance with Pranav that leaves you with a warm and fuzzy feeling. The tears of joy and laughter can be attributed to both these performances wherein two young actors absolutely nail the emotions.
Conclusion
Varshangalkku Shesham is a heartfelt drama on friendship, dreams and cinema that makes for a wonderfully heartwarming watch. One thing to note is the gaze with which you approach this film – if you treat it solely as a comedy, it will not work. But if you give it a chance as a drama with a few bouts of comedy then the film may well work for you. It did help that I knew nothing about the film before venturing in it, and I came out pleasantly surprised with a smile on my face. Once again, it is the Malayalam Film Industry who has excelled in yet another film in 2024! Available in a theatre near you and Highly Recommended!